Red Funnel Ferries, operating from Terminal 1, Dock Gate 7 at Royal Pier, Town Quay, Southampton, offers a commendable service for those travelling to the Isle of Wight. The experience is marked by convenience and efficiency, making it a reliable choice for vehicle ferry crossings.
The booking process is seamless, with an intuitive online platform that allows passengers to secure tickets without hassle. The website is user-friendly, and the ability to manage bookings or make amendments adds to the overall ease. Staff at the terminal are courteous and efficient, ensuring smooth check-in and boarding processes, which is particularly valuable for those travelling with vehicles.
Onboard, the facilities are impressive for a ferry service. The toilets are clean, well-maintained, and easily accessible, catering to families and individuals alike. The onboard café is a highlight, offering a decent selection of food and beverages, from light snacks to heartier options, all reasonably priced. The seating areas are comfortable, with ample space to relax during the roughly one-hour crossing to East Cowes.
The terminal itself is well-organised, with clear signage and efficient vehicle handling, minimising wait times. The staff’s professionalism ensures that boarding and disembarking are swift, even during peak times. The views of Southampton Water and the Isle of Wight during the journey add a pleasant touch to the experience.
While the service is generally excellent, occasional delays due to weather or high demand can occur, though these are communicated promptly. Overall, Red Funnel Ferries provides a dependable, comfortable, and efficient service, making it a top choice for travellers heading to the...
Read moreEnjoy our first trip to the Isle of Wight by using Red Funnel Services. We booked tickets online, quick and easy to select date and time for departure. Different time slots had different prices, highly advised to get at the dock between 45-30mins before departure time. Once you get into the terminal dock, the kiosk will automatically recognize the car plate number. Tickets were prepared to hand over. We had booked other landmarks tickets with 10% off like steam railway, wildheart sanctuary, Shanklin chine, etc. Tickets will also be printed and handed over. These tickets are available for 7 days before and after the date you insert during booking. Shanklin Chine and wildheart sanctuary are also allowed for a second visit with one purchase (within 7 days).
Once we received tickets, we were directed to park on a certain row behind other vehicles waiting to be boarded. Nice and smooth to board and get off. Only the cons is that foods are too pricey.
In fact, as if you book accommodation on Isle of Wight, some of them will provide a discount code for ferry. However, it might not be Red Funnel but Wighlink, which has to depart from Portsmouth, which is slightly far from us.
I took some pictures at IOW Red Funnel terminal kiosk ticket only for foot passenger. For one hr journey, it was not a bad price at all. Although as if you do not buy a vehicle ticket at the terminal counter, an extra £5 will be charged top of the ticket.
Last but not least, kudos to the customer service which had been helpful email advised us before hand as we had no experience how to get ticket and where to park our car.
Hope all...
Read moreExcellent Experience on the Red Funnel Ferry
We recently travelled with Red Funnel on the 9:00 AM crossing from Southampton to the Isle of Wight, returning on the 6:30 PM service the same day. From start to finish, the experience was smooth, professional, and thoroughly enjoyable.
The service was punctual and efficient, with both crossings departing and arriving on time. The ships were impressively clean, with comfortable seating areas and plenty of space to relax and enjoy the stunning views of the Solent. The atmosphere on board was calm and relaxing, making the journey feel more like part of the holiday than simply a means of travel.
A particular highlight of our trip was the friendly and engaging crew. While chatting with one of the team members in the dining area, we expressed interest in the ship's propulsion system. Without hesitation, he referred us to the main office on board, where Bruce kindly took the time to walk us through the system using a diagram he and the captain had found during a recent refit. This kind of thoughtful, above-and-beyond service truly exceeded our expectations.
All of the staff we encountered were polite, courteous, and professional, contributing greatly to the overall positive experience. Red Funnel clearly takes pride in offering not only a reliable ferry service but also exceptional customer care.
Highly recommended — we look forward to travelling...
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